VP FRED HUNSAKER TO RETIRE FROM UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
After 10 years of cumulative work at Utah State University, Vice President of Administrative Services Fred R. Hunsaker announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2003.
“Some of the most rewarding and gratifying time of my working life has been at Utah State University,” Hunsaker said. “I‚ve clearly enjoyed the academic environment, enthusiasm and optimism of our students and the association with exceptionally fine people. I have always felt like we have had a strong team to advance the university. I‚ve been very fortunate to be a part of that team.”
As the university’s chief business officer and treasurer and the one responsible for maintenance and use of physical resources, from landscaping to land planning, few others have played more prominently in decisions impacting the present and future of Utah State, said President Kermit L. Hall.
“Fred Hunsaker is Utah State University, and the exceptional service he has rendered will have a lasting impact on the institution,” he said. “Indeed, Fred’s contributions go beyond Utah State, important as they have been to everyone who works or studies at the university. Fred has been an ambassador for all of higher education, whether in the Office of the Regents or as a member of the state legislature. His wisdom, sense of humor, patience and common decency will be missed. We wish him well in retirement, but there can be no doubt that he will leave a legacy that will be hard to replicate.”
Hunsaker’s areas of responsibility have included administration over university business affairs and money management, execution of all property transactions, leases and contracts, capital development and improvement projects, the university’s master plan addressing campus expansion, investment of university monies and the business management of most university auxiliaries and service enterprises.
Significant capital projects under Hunsaker’s watch include:
-Phase Three of Old Main renovation
-Cazier Science Technology Library
-New Widtsoe Hall and adjoining Science Learning Center
-New steam plant and tunneling project
-Construction or renovation of single and family housing projects
-Renovation of the Taggart Student Center
-New human resources building in conjunction with the College of Education
-New engineering building
-New main library, now under construction
-Master plan for construction of new student housing west of the Taggart Center
-$4 million average per year spent on capital improvements
-Renovation of the University Bookstore
In addition, Hunsaker played a role in the creation of a new university business model that aligns funding with university priorities. It is a significant departure from traditional university budgeting practices of the past. And although, as he said, it has been one of the more difficult changes to enact, it is one that will have the most significant long-term benefit for the university.
“I take great pleasure in knowing this has happened,” he said, crediting the leadership of Hall and support by administrators, faculty, staff and students.
In a recent report on the financial condition and economic outlook for the university, Utah State is in overall strong financial condition, topping the list of peer institutions, including Iowa State University, Texas A&M, Washington State University and Oregon State University.
Hunsaker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1965 from Utah State and 10 years later earned a degree in banking from the University of Washington.
He began a banking career with First Security Bank in 1965 as an installment loan officer. By 1977 he had become president and chief executive officer at First Federal of Logan.
During this time, he was involved in several service capacities at the university including eight years as a member of the Institutional Council, now the board of trustees.
He came to work at Utah State in 1991 as vice president of Administrative Affairs. From 1997 to 1999, he took leave from Utah State to work as associate commissioner for Finance and Facilities for the Utah System of Higher Education. He returned to Utah State in 2000 and resumed his position as vice president over Administrative Services.
In 2002 he was awarded the Leone Leadership Award, the university’s top leadership honor.
In addition to his corporate and university career, he spent six years in public service as a member of the Utah House of Representatives, including seats on the Capital Facilities Appropriations Committee and the Higher Education Joint Legislative Appropriations Committee.
Hunsaker has been involved in a variety of civic and professional activities, including president of the Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce; vice president of the Cache Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America; and president of the Utah and U.S. League of Insured Savings Institutions. He is a member of the university’s Old Main Society, vice chair of Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority, and is on the Board of Directors of the Utah Foundation.
He is father of three and husband to Sharon — all Utah State graduates.
He will be 64 years old when he retires at the end of December and said he looks forward to catching his breath while catching up on activities and projects he has neglected — golfing, fishing and farming.
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